Abstract: Pixels, imagers and related fabrication methods are described. The described methods result in cross-talk reduction in imagers and related devices by generating depletion regions. The devices can also be used with electronic circuits for imaging applications.

Abstract: A color imaging element including color filters arranged on pixels, wherein the color filter array includes a basic array pattern including first filters corresponding to a first color that most contributes to obtaining luminance signals and second filters corresponding to two or more second colors other than the first color, the basic array pattern repeatedly arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions, one or more first filters are arranged in each line in horizontal, vertical, and oblique directions of the color filter array, one or more second filters are arranged in each line in the horizontal and vertical directions of the color filter array in the basic array pattern, and a proportion of the number of pixels of the first color corresponding to the first filters is greater than proportions of the numbers of pixels of each color of the second colors corresponding to the second filters.

Abstract: A module operates in a proximity detection mode and a gesture detection mode. The module includes an illumination source, radiation sensors and a controller. When in proximity detection mode, the illumination source emits radiation, the radiation sensors measure the radiation level, and the controller adjusts the measured radiation level to substantially cancel the contribution attributable to ambient radiation to determine the presence of a proximate object by. When in the gesture recognition mode, the level of radiation incident on the sensors is individually sampled, and the controller determines object movement by comparing the changes in the measured radiation levels over a plurality of the samples. Ambient radiation contribution is not removed from the sampled radiation levels during the gesture recognition mode.

Abstract: There is disclosed photovoltaic device structures which trap admitted light and recycle it through the contained photosensitive materials to maximize photoabsorption. For example, there is disclosed a photosensitive optoelectronic device comprising: a first reflective layer comprising a thermoplastic resin; a second reflective layer substantially parallel to the first reflective layer; a first transparent electrode layer on at least one of the first and second reflective layer; and a photosensitive region adjacent to the first electrode, wherein the first transparent electrode layer is substantially parallel to the first reflective layer and adjacent to the photosensitive region, and wherein the device has an exterior face transverse to the planes of the reflective layers where the exterior face has an aperture for admission of incident radiation to the interior of the device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an optical sensor system comprises a mast, a mast mirror, a navigation unit, one or more faceted mirrors, and at least two beam-steering mirrors. The mast is elevated from a vehicle. The mast mirror reflects signals either to or from object space along a line of sight. The navigation unit determines a location and attitude of the mast mirror. The one or more faceted mirrors reflect an error sensing beam to reveal a flexure of the mast mirror. The at least two beam-steering mirrors prevent the line of sight for the signals reflected off the mast mirror from walking off the mast mirror by adjusting an angle and translation of the signals reflected off the mast mirror.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including an AD converter and a pixel array is provided. The AD converter performs a ramp comparison and a successive-approximation. The AD converter determines a digital value by performing one of the ramp comparison and the successive-approximation as a former comparison operation and then performing the other as a latter comparison operation in the range narrowed down by the former comparison operation. The pixel array supplies, to the AD converter, a reference signal corresponding to a reset level of the pixel, and an image signal having image information. The AD converter performs the latter comparison operation without performing the former comparison operation, when the reference signal is supplied.

Abstract: A single aperture three channel optical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical system includes a front optical group and a back optical group that is disposed in substantially close proximity to the front optical group. Further, the optical system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor. The front optical group and the second optical group receives an object beam and splits into a reflected beam having first wavelengths and a transmitted beam of second wavelengths. Furthermore, the front optical group and the second optical group splits the reflected beam having first wavelengths into a transmitted beam having third wavelengths and a reflected beam having fourth wavelengths. The first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor receive the transmitted beam of second wavelengths, transmitted beam of third wavelengths, and reflected beam of fourth wavelengths, respectively and produce the coaxial three channel images.

Abstract: Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and single photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) are provided with a lateral multiplication region that provides improved amplification through increased impact ionization.

Abstract: A color imaging element including color filters arranged on pixels, wherein the color filter array includes a basic array pattern including first filters corresponding to a first color that most contributes to obtaining luminance signals and second filters corresponding to two or more second colors other than the first color, the basic array pattern repeatedly arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions, one or more first filters are arranged in each line in horizontal, vertical, and oblique directions of the color filter array, one or more second filters are arranged in each line in the horizontal and vertical directions of the color filter array in the basic array pattern, and a proportion of the number of pixels of the first color corresponding to the first filters is greater than proportions of the numbers of pixels of each color of the second colors corresponding to the second filters.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a circuit board, a light emitting module, a light receiving module, and an optical coupling lens. Two protrusions apart from each other extend from the circuit board. The light emitting module and the light receiving module are mounted on the circuit board and apart from each other. The optical coupling lens includes an oblique reflection surface and a recess having a bottom surface parallel to the circuit board. Two distanced posts perpendicularly extend from the bottom surface and engage with the centers of the protrusions upon assembly to ensure automatic and alignment of the light emitting module with the first converging lens, and alignment of the light receiving module with the second converging lens.

Abstract: A shadow band assembly includes a platform and an arcuate shadow arm extending upward from the platform and terminating in a free end above the platform. A sun sensor mounting location is located below the free end of the shadow arm. The arm is preferably further supported by a vertical strut. According to other embodiments, the arm is hollow and contains a fluid conduit and/or an electrical cable. A sun sensor may be mounted on top of the free end of the arm and a fluid nozzle may be mounted under the free end. A shadow band pyranometer includes the shadow band assembly, a sun sensor mounted at the mounting location and a motor drive coupled to the platform for azimuth tracking Additional sensors with zenith tracking may also be provided.

Abstract: A machine for inspecting a rotating glass container for defects wherein the image evaluated for defects is a critical addition of a plurality of additions each defined by a plurality of time spaced images.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including at least one special pixel with a configuration having a layout made different from the layout of the configuration of each pixel other than the special pixel. The special pixel is a pixel having an imaging characteristic steadily different from that of the other pixels. A difference in layout between the configuration of the special pixel and the configuration of the other pixels is used to suppress a non-uniformity of the imaging characteristic exhibited by the special pixel.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device operable to convert light to electricity, comprising a substrate, a plurality of structures essentially perpendicular to the substrate, one or more recesses between the structures, each recess having a planar mirror on a bottom wall thereof and each recess filled with a transparent material. The structures have p-n or p-i-n junctions for converting light into electricity. The planar mirrors function as an electrode and can reflect light incident thereon back to the structures to be converted into electricity.

Abstract: The detection circuit comprises a photodiode connected to a readout circuitry. The photodiode and readout circuitry are connected by means of a transistor arranged to operate as a closed switch when the readout circuitry biases the photodiode in a predefined range and to operate as an open switch in the other cases.

Abstract: A polarization image sensor includes: photodiodes arranged on an image capturing plane; a color mosaic filter in which color filters in multiple different colors are arranged to face the photodiodes; an optical low-pass filter which covers the color mosaic filter; and polarization optical elements located closer to a light source than the optical low-pass filter is. Each polarization optical element covers an associated one of the photodiodes and makes light which is polarized in a predetermined direction in a plane that is parallel to the image capturing plane incident onto the optical low-pass filter. The color filters are arranged so that light that has passed through polarization optical elements is transmitted through an associated one of the color filters in a single color. Each color filter covers multiple photodiodes.

Abstract: In a solar panel array, each solar panel in a series-connected string has a current source connected across its output terminals. The current source generates a programmable output current equal to the difference of the load current drawn from the panel and the current corresponding to the maximum power point (MPP) of the panel. As a result, each of the panels in the string is operated at its MPP. When the array contains multiple strings connected in parallel, a voltage source is additionally connected in series with each string. The voltage sources are programmable to generate corresponding output voltages to enable operation of each panel in each of the multiple strings at its MPP. Respective control blocks providing the current sources and voltage sources automatically determine the MPP of the corresponding panels. In an embodiment, the control blocks are implemented as DC-DC converters in conjunction with measurement and communication units.

Abstract: An electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the invention comprises a plurality of first output lines and a plurality of current to voltage convertors. Current signals from a plurality of signal sources are output to the first output lines. Each of the current to voltage convertors are electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first output lines. The current to voltage convertor includes a first amplification unit. An offset reduction unit in a subsequent stage of the current to voltage convertor is provided for each of the first output lines.

Abstract: A method of concentrating directional radiant energy using reflective optics and receivers that convert that energy wherein the receivers are situated in the body of the reflector on risers parallel to the direction of radiant energy, each said riser bounded by at least one parabolic mirror lying closer and another lying farther from the energy source, where the focus or foci of said mirrors lie substantially in the direction faced by the receiver situated in said riser. The reflector geometries include ones in which the mirrors are parabolic cylinder sections and require only one-axis tacking to focus, and ones in which the mirrors are paraboloid sections and require two-axis tracking to focus sunlight.

Abstract: An optical system may include a polarization beam splitter having an input that receives multiple optical signals, a first output and a second output. The first output may provide components of the multiple optical signals having a first polarization. The second output may provide components of the multiple optical signals having a second polarization. The optical system may include a rotator having an input that receives the components to rotate the first polarization such that each of the components has the second polarization, and an output to supply components as rotated components. The optical system may also include an optical circuit including a substrate. The rotator may be separate from the substrate. The optical circuit may include an optical demultiplexer circuit provided on the substrate to receive the rotated components and the components.